Help With Understanding Equipment/Tech Choices for Percussion

[havetagotta]

Hi all,

I'm just starting home recording. I use a Macbook Pro and GarageBand. I'm all set on an interface (I have an MAudio FastTrack), bass and guitar, and am purchasing a decently-rated USB mic. What I don't quite understand though is what to do about the drums.

I've played with the drums and loops in GarageBand and I'm not a fan, mainly because of using the laptop keyboard to tap out rhythms and the fact that I don't think it's as responsive or precise as I'd like. I want to be able to create my own drums using...something. I don't own a drumkit, nor do I have the space to set one up. I don't want to invest in a big electronic drum kit because, again, space. Back in the day (talking 1996) I remember using a drum machine to make some basic tracks, but I don't remember how it was set up. I went to the Googles to see what my options were and was completely overwhelmed and confused. I don't know if I need some software and a keyboard or some kind of external drum machine that can connect to my mac via usb or what. I've seen apps like iDrum but I don't understand the underlying architecture. Like, is it another app that uses my built-in keyboard as the drumpad? Is it better than the built-in drum options for GarageBand? Or would GarageBand work better if I had an external interface?

I'd love it if someone could boil it down to basics for me. I just want to tap out basic drum rhythms with my fingers to create a drum track of demo quality, and have GarageBand record it, but I don't want to use my Macbook keyboard. Does that make sense?

Thanks in advance,
stevie

 

[RawDepth]

Roland makes a few products that will do what you want. All you do is choose the sounds and then tap on the rubber pads. HPD 10, HPD 15, and HPD 20 can be played with fingers and OCTAPAD SPD-30 can be played with drum sticks. Percussion Controllers | Drums & Percussion | Products | Roland U.S.